UAlbany Falls in America East Conference Championship Match

Albany, N.Y. - Most Outstanding Player Lindsey Mueller recorded a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs to lead Binghamton to the 2009 America East Conference Championship title, defeating UAlbany, 3-1, at University Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats won with set scores of 25-19, 27-25, 12-25 and 25-19, to claim their second championship title.

The teams played even to start the match, before Binghamton went on a 5-0 run to build up an 11-5 advantage. UAlbany battled back to pull within 15-12 on a kill by Teresa Coppiellie, but Binghamton continued to roll behind the powerful hitting of Anna Lejina and Michelle McDonough, who finished with seven and six kills, respectively, in the set. Sandra DeVito and McDonough served for four combined points before UAlbany attempted to rally behind Coppiellie's service game. Back-to-back kills by Hillary White brought the Great Danes back within 24-17, while consecutive service aces on set point kept UAlbany alive. However, a service error ended the set in Binghamton's favor.

Coppiellie, who was named to the all-championship team, continued her strong play in the second set, getting a kill to tie the match at 1-1, and then serving for five straight points to give the Great Danes a 6-1 advantage. Binghamton battled back, pulling to within 12-10, and then tying the set at 14-14 on a UAlbany attack error. The Bearcats followed with a combined block by DeVito and Dawn Lammert and a kill by McDonough to take a 16-14 lead. UAlbany rallied to tie the match for a second time at 17-17 with a kill by Coppiellie and then took a one-point lead with a block by Casey Wright and Kalyn Mostert. UAlbany rallied to set point at 24-22 on a Sourbeer kill, but the Bearcats would not fold, tying the match and getting set point of their own on a Great Dane attack error. Sourbeer smashed another kill to set the score at 25-25, but McDonough and Lejina recorded consecutive kills to claim the set win in extra points.

UAlbany would not go down without a fight, taking the third set behind Coppiellie's impressive service game. After Lejina tied the set at 9-9, Coppiellie recorded a kill to give serve back to the Great Danes. The junior outside hitter served for 12 straight points, putting UAlbany ahead 22-9 before Binghamton ended the run with a kill from DeVito. The teams exchanged points, with UAlbany getting set points at 24-11 on a Sourbeer kill. McDonough recorded a kill of her own to keep Binghamton alive, but a ball handling error on the Bearcats gave UAlbany the third set victory.

UAlbany would attempt to recreate its 2006 championship run by coming back from an 0-2 deficit, but would come up short in the fourth set. The teams played evenly matched in the early going, with UAlbany holding a slight lead before Mueller tied the score at 9-9 with a service ace. Mueller served for four straight points to put the Bearcats ahead, 14-10, before White recorded a kill to take over serve. White then served for four consecutive points to put the Great Danes ahead, 15-14, before McDonough ended the rally with a kill. A Mueller block tied the set at 17-17, but Wright recorded a kill to put the Great Danes back in front. McDonough recorded a kill and took over serve, capitalizing on two kills from Lejina and a UAlbany attack error to put the Bearcats ahead, 21-18. Coppiellie took an assist from Brooke Stanley to pull within 21-19, but the Great Danes were caught out of rotation to give the ball back to Binghamton. Alex Roland combined with Lejina and Mueller to block the final two UAlbany attacks and seal the win for the Bearcats.

America East Player and Setter of the Year Stanley was named to the all-tournament team for the third straight season after finishing with 41 assists and 12 digs. She also recorded four kills and a team-high .364 hitting percentage. Coppiellie also recorded a double-double in her all-tournament team worthy effort, finishing with a team-high 14 kills and 15 digs along with a career-best six service aces.

Lejina and McDonough were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts, recorded 22 and 21 kills, respectively. Lejina led the team with a .362 hitting percentage, while McDonough recorded a double-double with 10 digs. Binghamton (15-15) earns the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament and will find out its first-round match up during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 29.

UAlbany (21-9) will conclude its season on Saturday, Nov. 28, at home against American.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information